SOUTH ORANGE MAPLEWOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION

This page is dedicated to give resources and guidance to the Special Education process. TheSpecial Education Resource Packetgives full details of the process starting from requesting a referral to the child study team, to developing an initial Individualized Education Plan (IEP), to ongoing implementation and adjustments to the IEP.

This edition of the Guide is the product of collaborative efforts between parents/guardians of students with special needs, represented by the South Orange-Maplewood Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC), and the South Orange-Maplewood School District’s Department of Special Services.

Each school in the district is represented by a Special Education liaison. The liaison for Jefferson Elementary School, Diego Ribadeneira, can be reached at dribadeneira@jefferson-pta.org.

Special Education Resources

Special Education PTOThe South Orange Maplewood Special Education Parent Teacher Organization (Special Education PTO) provides parents with tools and information to work collaboratively with the school district, and to be more effective advocates for their children.

They host monthly meetings to help families network with other families to navigate special education, and share information about concerns, successes, and resources. They support ongoing professional development of district staff and teachers, and encourage comprehensive, thoughtful inclusion of differently-abled children in our communities. In partnership with the Parenting Center they host a monthly meeting where all members of the community are welcome.

Special Education PTO provides parents with tools and information to work collaboratively with the school district, and to be more effective advocates for their children with special educational needs. We generally dedicate the first 45-60 minutes of our monthly meetings to the featured conversation and then open the floor for attendees to ask individual questions, get support, share resources andconnect with other members of the special education community. We are a Parenting Center sponsored group.

Each featured topic is our attempt to get those with similar concerns in the same room at the same time but all are always welcome! A representative of SOMA SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee) will give a brief update of their organization's advocacy efforts ateach meeting and we will conduct joint SPED PTO/SEPAC meetings at year's beginning and end.

Questions? Email: Ann Leeb, annleeb@optonline.net

Please let us know in advance if you need childcare in order to attend our meetings.

The Parenting Center serves elementary school families in the South Orange Maplewood School District. The Center's goal is to be a dynamic resource in our community addressing children's needs and parent's concerns. Its aim is to provide parents with a full range of supports as they help their children grow and develop.

Sponsors an evening speaker series addressing parents' most common concerns. Speakers are nationally known experts as well as local professionals.

Presents parenting workshops on topics ranging from sibling rivalry, to bullying, to helping children eat more healthfully (a nominal fee is charged for some workshops).